Incumbent provides direct patient care coordination, diagnosis and treatment of patients with congestive heart failure in the ambulatory setting. The provider documents assessments and development of treatment plans or interventions, health promotion, education, and counseling, history and physical, and perform duties as designated by responsible physician. Prescribes required medications included on the formulary of his/her supervising physician. The NP/PA actively participates as an integral member of the treatment team; obtaining laboratory specimens, ordering laboratory, radiologic, and diagnostic tests, participate in ongoing professional practice evaluation, focused professional practice evaluation, and other quality assurance activities, performs EKG, preventive health screening, referral to other subspecialties. The NP/PA must have a strong foundation in evidenced based practice and education providing an environment of safe quality care. The NP/PA demonstrates an advanced level of medical, clinical and technical competence as well as sound clinical judgment and professionalism as it relates to interpersonal and general communication skills, timely and compliant documentation. Experience with caring for patients with heart failure is a plus and remote monitoring of heart failure patients with implanted PA hemodynamic sensor is desired but not required. Ability to provide coverage in an inpatient setting is preferred.

Applicants must have current ACLS and BLS certification and maintain appropriate training and licensures and or competencies at all time.

U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education. The candidate must meet the following:(1) Graduate of a PA training program, or of a surgical assistant program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations; and(2) A Bachelor's degree from an accredited PA training program or in another health sciences related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Certification(1) Current and continuous certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is required for employment in VHA.(2) Recent PA graduates who are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) may be employed by VA on a temporary basis (38 U.S.C. 7405), for a period not to exceed two years, as provided in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section G, Paragraph 5.(3) If a PA's NCCPA certification is suspended, revoked or expires, the PA must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment.

English Language Proficiency. PAs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Restriction. Under no circumstances may this occupation be used to employ physicians or other health care providers who do not meet the applicable qualification standards for their occupation. All PAs must meet the requirements in paragraphs 2a through f above.

Grandfathering Provision. Effective with the issuance of this new qualification standard all PA's are required to have a Bachelor's Degree and maintain certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

a. PAs on VA rolls prior to the implementation date of this standard who do not meet the minimum academic level of a Bachelor's degree are exempted from this requirement.b. PAs on VA rolls prior to March 12, 1993 who are not NCCPA certified remain exempt from the NCCPA certification requirement. However, a PA who subsequently became or becomes certified is no longer exempt and must maintain certification as a condition of employment.c. PAs who have been grandfathered and subsequently leave the PA occupation lose the grandfathered status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the PA occupation, unless a waiver is approved by the Under Secretary for Health.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the basic requirements statedabove, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade for appointment or promotion eligibility. Requirements for appointment or promotion to a specific grade are based on the candidate's ability to demonstrate the elements described.Full Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, individuals appointed to this grade must meet all the following requirements:(1) Experience / Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Intermediate Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Full Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Individuals appointed or advanced to Intermediate Grade will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems and meet the following requirements:Experience / Education(a) 1 year of professional practice as a PA; or(b) Successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by theU.S. Armed Forces; or(c) A Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Senior Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Intermediate Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Individuals appointed or advanced to Senior Grade will have demonstrated the behaviors or responsibilities listed in one or more of the following categories: Clinical Proficiency, Education, Professional Development, Management/Administrative, and Research, as applicable to the assignmentExperience / Education(a) 3 years of professional practice as a PA; or(b) 2 years of professional practice as a PA and successful completion of a PA post-graduate residency program accredited by ARC-PA or by the U.S. Armed Forces; or(c) 2 years of professional practice as a PA and a Master's degree from a PA training program certified by ARC-PA or in another health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; or(d) A Doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U. S. Department of Education.

Chief Grade. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must meet all requirements described in this standard for Senior Grade through VA employment or non-VA PA positions with equivalent scope and complexity. Appointment or promotion to Chief Grade is based on the individual's demonstrated high level of clinical expertise, leadership ability, and the ability to function with a high degree of autonomy. Further, the PA candidate for Chief Grade will have demonstrated all the requirements of one or more of the following categories: Management/Administrative, Clinical Proficiency, Professional Development and Research.xperience / Education(a) Generally, an individual in this grade is able to demonstrate the behaviors listed in the areas below after 5 years of professional practice as a PA; and,(b) The minimum education for this grade is a Master's Degree from a PA training program accredited by ARC-PA or in a health-related field of study. However, experience as a PA may be substituted for the Master's degree where the individual has an equivalent knowledge of the profession and has successfully undertaken a combination of difficult or complex assignments in several clinical, administrative, research and educational arenas which required a high degree of competence.

Reference:VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G8, Physician Assistant Qualification Standard.This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Please use this checklist to ensure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1990781.

NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.